Find out the simple steps you need to take to keep your computer safe from common security risks on the internet and elsewhere. It's simple and won't cost you much money.
Most people know that there are always problems with the security of Microsoft's Windows and other programmes. But what most people don't know is how easy it is to make a big difference in how safe your computer is and how likely you are to fall victim to threats on the internet that are getting smarter and smarter. These steps shouldn't take more than a few hours and shouldn't cost you a lot of money.
Windows Update is the first and most important thing you need to do to make sure that all of your Microsoft programmes have the most recent updates. These updates, also called "patches," fix security holes and other problems. Most of the time, Microsoft releases these updates once a month. Visit the Microsoft website or use the Windows Control panel to set up automatic updates. This is still a very important first step, even if your "new" computer is used. Make sure Service Pack 2 (SP2) is installed on a used computer with Windows XP before you buy it.
Strong passwords. This is something that people often forget, but having well-thought-out passwords is an important part of keeping your computer safe. A strong password should be at least 8 characters long and have a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters. At the very least, you need to make sure that the services that are most likely to be hacked have strong passwords. These services include your bank, credit card, other financial services like PayPal, your email address, and any other services like Ebay that hackers can use to make money.
Protection from virus Even though the risk of getting a computer virus has gone down in the last few years, they can still do a lot of damage to your computer. Part of the reason why the threat isn't as big as it used to be is that PC makers are putting more anti-virus software on their new computers. Last year, when I bought a new Dell, it came with a trial version of McAfee's Internet Security Suite that I could use for 90 days. The best thing to do here is to buy a security package that has at least a firewall and anti-virus software. Symantec Norton and McAfee are two of the best brands. But Microsoft just recently got into the market with a product called "OneCare," which is priced very competitively.
Firewall: If you have a broadband connection, you need a firewall to control the traffic between your computer and the internet. A firewall keeps an eye on the internet traffic that comes into your computer through the ports. Better products also keep an eye on what your computer sends to the internet. As mentioned above, your best bet is to buy a firewall as part of a security package, which most vendors offer by default. If your router package comes with a hardware firewall, you don't need anything else. Zone Labs has a great free firewall called Zone Alarm that should be used at the very least. Windows XP now comes with a free firewall, but it doesn't monitor outgoing connections, so I don't think it provides enough protection.
Anti-Spyware Tool: This is the last piece of software you need for basic internet security. Spyware and adware can be stopped with this tool. There are both free and paid versions to choose from. Some good free programmes are Windows Defender from Microsoft, Spybot S&D, and Ewido Anti-Malware. In computer help forums, Ewido Anti-Malware comes up a lot. Be careful if you decide to purchase a solution. There are a lot of shady sellers out there who try to hard sell you products that don't do much for you. Stick with trusted names like Spy Sweeper from Webroot or Spyware Doctor from PC Tool. When tested by experts, these products always do well.